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How to Fix Excel #NAME? and _xlfn. Errors on macOS Sequoia
Question details
Users experience #NAME? errors and _xlfn. prefixes in their Excel formulas on macOS Sequoia.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS Sequoia
- Scenario
- Opening a workbook containing newer Excel functions on a Mac running an older or mismatched version of Office.
- Observed behavior
- Excel displays #NAME? in cells and adds the _xlfn. prefix to functions in the formula bar, indicating unsupported formulas.
Before troubleshooting, ensure your Mac is connected to the internet and save any open workbooks to prevent data loss during the update or restart process.
Update Microsoft Office for Mac
The primary cause of the _xlfn. prefix is opening a file containing newer functions (like XLOOKUP) in an older version of Excel. Updating the application resolves this compatibility gap.
Microsoft regularly releases new functions for Microsoft 365 subscribers. If you open a workbook created with these new functions on an older, non-subscription version of Excel or an outdated install, Excel cannot calculate them and prefixes them with _xlfn.
Open Microsoft Excel on your Mac running macOS Sequoia.
Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates' from the dropdown menu.
If the Microsoft AutoUpdate window opens and displays available updates, click 'Update' to install the latest version of Microsoft 365 or Office for Mac.
Once the update is complete, restart your Mac. Reopen the affected workbook to check if the #NAME? error is resolved and the formulas calculate correctly.
Verify Workbook Compatibility Settings
If updating doesn't work or you are restricted to a perpetual license version, the workbook might need to be adapted to be compatible with your current Excel version.
Open Your Workbooks Seamlessly with WPS Office
Avoid frustrating #NAME? and _xlfn. version compatibility errors. WPS Office supports modern spreadsheet functions natively and is fully compatible with Microsoft Excel file formats, running smoothly on macOS Sequoia.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the WPS Office installer for macOS.
- 2. Install and Launch: Install the application and launch WPS Spreadsheet on your Mac.
- 3. Open the Affected File: Drag and drop the .xlsx file containing the unsupported formulas into the WPS workspace, or use File > Open.
- 4. View Formulas Natively: Review your spreadsheet; modern functions will calculate correctly without triggering the _xlfn. prefix or #NAME? errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the _xlfn. prefix mean in Excel?
The _xlfn. prefix appears in front of a function in the formula bar when the workbook contains a newer function (such as XLOOKUP or IFS) that is not supported by the version of Excel currently opening it.
Why am I seeing #NAME? errors after upgrading to macOS Sequoia?
Upgrading your macOS or transferring to a new Mac might have resulted in installing an older build of Office apps. If this older version lacks support for newer functions used in your files, you will encounter the #NAME? error.
Will deleting the _xlfn. text from the formula fix the error?
No, simply deleting the _xlfn. prefix will not resolve the issue. It will only result in a standard #NAME? error because the underlying function name is still not recognized by your current version of Excel.
How do I know which Office version I am using on my Mac?
Open Microsoft Excel, click on 'Excel' in the top left menu bar beside the Apple logo, and select 'About Microsoft Excel'. A dialog box will appear showing your current version, build number, and license type.
